I don't think Gardiner has had it too rough this season. His scoring chances +/- in the last two games is +8 chances for, -12 chances against. Comparatively, Mike Kostka, who has played easier minutes, is a +7 for and -14 against. Gardiner was doing well in all even-strenght situations with John-Michael Liles against New York.

Conditioning stints typically last a couple of games, although after tomorrow's game at Ricoh against Wilkes-Barre, the Marlies are off until Friday in Rochester. Perhaps the Leafs wanted to get Gardiner skating, but preferably not against one of the conference's toughest teams in the New York Rangers.

Cam Charron is a BC hockey fan that writes about hockey on many different websites including this one.